This position will focus on the development of a research program that focuses on horticultural crops (fruits and/or vegetables and among other potential interests such as integrated pest management, produce quality and storage, and value adding processing, etc.) in Montana. The incumbent will contribute to the existing horticulture research and outreach program for the Western Agricultural Research Center.
Duties and Responsibilities
The position is 80% research, 10% outreach/teaching, and 10% service. The incumbent is responsible for developing a research program that focuses on fruit and vegetable production in Montana.
The individual is expected to cooperate with other scientists, educators, farmers, and related industries, advisory and commodity groups to develop research priorities and actively participate in developing recommendations for the management of horticultural crops. The successful individual will also provide expertise to other research programs in the Department, College, and MAES as appropriate. Securing extramural funds from state, regional, and national grant programs, as well as the agricultural industry, is required.
Outreach/teaching duties will be fulfilled through graduate student mentoring and stakeholder (producer, processor, and consumer) education. The position requires the ability to communicate research findings in both oral and written formats, including refereed publications. Participation in outreach and service activities is expected.
Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
1. A completed Ph.D. in Horticulture or closely related discipline at the time of hire.
2. Demonstrated expertise in production, management and research of horticultural crops.
3. Demonstrated experience in planning, designing and implementing field and/or lab research, and interpreting research results using accepted, robust scientific methodology.
4. Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with scientists, farmers, and other agricultural clientele.
Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
1. Postdoctoral experience in horticultural crops.
2. Documented success in obtaining external grant support.
3. Experience in horticulture, particularly for small-scale, specialty crop farms in cold climates.
4. Experience with production and management of horticultural crops under irrigated conditions.
5. Experience in overall management and participation with a research team.
6. Demonstrate effective farmer-stakeholder engagement in development and delivery of research and outreach programs.
The Successful Candidate Will
The successful candidate will have great interpersonal skills and will be an excellent communicator.
Position Special Requirements/Additional Information
This position is not eligible for sponsorship.
Physical Demands
This position will work in the field. The successful candidate must have the ability to navigate uneven terrain on foot, work around dust, seeds, and pollen, and work in inclement weather.
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
The Department
The Department of Research Centers represents a unique organizational unit with faculty and staff that conduct research and outreach programs at seven off-campus research centers throughout Montana. This position is located at the Western Agricultural Research Center (WARC) near Corvallis, MT. The region has a significant and developing tree fruit/small fruit and other horticultural crops industry. An advisory board made up of producers and extension agents has provided guidance in the development of this position and will provide guidance for development of research and extension priorities.
The College
As a land grant institution, Montana State University provides education, research, and extension/outreach programs focused to meet the changing needs of Montana. The College of Agriculture and the Montana Agricultural Experiment Station generate and disseminate superior knowledge and technological solutions to increase the competitiveness of communities capturing value from Montana’s agricultural and natural resources, preserve environmental quality, and improve the quality of life for all our citizens.